Assessment of Apoptosis Related Markers in Acute Organophosphorus Intoxicated Patients

Abstract

rganophosphorus compounds have been used as pesticides and as chemical warfare nerve agents. The mechanism of toxicity of OP is the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, which results in accumulation of acetylcholine and the continued stimulation of acetylcholine receptors. Therefore, they are also called anticholinesterase agents. In addition to inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase enzyme, OP compounds have been shown to induce DNA damage, chromosomal aberrations and apoptosis. OP also may induce oxidative stress leading to generation of free radicals, which results in increase of oxidative destruction of lipids (lipid peroxidation) and reduction of glutathione level. This study aims to evaluate the biomarkers of oxidative stress e.g total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdhyde (MDA) to assess the effect of organophosphorus toxicity on expression of apoptosis related markers (caspase 3, capsese 9). In addition, the aim is to determine the genotoxic effects of acute organophosphorusexposure in patients before and after the appropriate treatment (atropine and oximes). This study was conducted on 40 subjects including 30 patients admitted to the PCC-ASUH (group I) and 10 healthy volunteers (group II). Patients were of both sex in the age of 18-55 years and diagnosed as acute OP poisoning. Blood samples were withdrawn from patients of group I two times: once on admission before treatment with atropine and oximes and the other sample was withdrawn after treatment. Also, blood samples were collected from the 10 healthy volunteer subjects of matching sex and age with group I.